The Whole Ionian is our flagship flotilla holiday and one we are very proud to offer. The flotilla spends two weeks meandering through the Ionian Islands from Corfu to Kefalonia and all those in between. This route is perfect for your first or second flotilla or for those who simply want to return and reminisce.
There are swim stops en route nearly every day and after three or four days you will feel like you have been there forever. Each island and town has its own unique and colourful character. Islands vary from spectacular rocky cliffs and caves, to rolling hills covered in olive groves. Everywhere you visit has sheltered bays, welcoming village harbours, and great food.
Most sailing days are only 12-15 miles between stops with one or two longer days of 20 miles or so for sailing enthusiasts!
Below is an indication of the yachts that will sail on this flotilla. Please call us on 020 8459 8787 to check live availability.
Our Shore to Sail holidays are a combination of a one or two week flotilla sailing holiday with another relaxing week or two ashore.
These holidays will appeal to those who enjoy sailing but have family or friends who are not quite so enthusiastic about sailing - a compromise can now be made!
Most people opt for a week of sailing followed by a week of winding down on shore. However it is entirely up to you to do what you want to do (and when!)
The Iris Hotel has been a popular choice for flotilla sailors for many years. This accommodation option will fit in with any of our flotillas starting and finishing on Lefkas Island. The hotel itself is a small family run hotel located close to Nidri Town. It has a combination of studio rooms for two or three people and apartments that can sleep up to 4.
The Salvator Spa Hotel is perched in the hills above Parga town and is a slightly more luxurious offering. The rooms on offer range from the Deluxe Room for two people, up to the Superior 2 Room Villa for up to 6 people. The hotel itself has an excellent restaurant, pool and spa facilities and all villas come with their own private pool.
Our brand new villa in Sivota on Lefkas is exclusive to Sailing Holidays Ltd. Built with families and groups in mind, the 3 double bedrooms all feature en-suite bathrooms. Built into the hill the ground floor level comprises of the master bedroom, a large kitchen and living space. On the same level you will find a huge outdoor seating area and a private pool.
Just simply breathtaking, learned how to sail, visited some paradise like beaches, met some amazing people. The crew were helpful, thoughtful and approachable
The best flotilla we have done (we have done a few). We had a wonderful time with a brilliant lead crew. We wanted for nothing and the team were there for us all the time. An excellent crew working for an excellent company.
Already booked for next year, which will be our 4th time with Sailing Holidays in as many years. Need we say more?
Loved it, Lead crew were very supportive, and made our experience fun. The whole area was a delight to explore. Got to experience challenging and easy sailing as we had hoped.
Fantastic holiday...the perfect introduction into flotilla sailing. We all had an amazing time on Tasia!! Lead boat (Helen) crew were the best, huge thank you to JP, Tom, Ellen & Will. You guys rock!!! Sailing Holidays Management - your Lead Boat Helen crew are a credit to you and the reason why I will come back next year!! Looking forward to next year already. Cheers, Tony
We can't recommend Sailing holidays enough. To go from complete novice sailors to handling our boat alone after just 1 day's training from sail-trainer Louise just goes to show that not only is she a BRILLIANT teacher, the boats really are set up to make sailing totally accessible to everyone. The itinerary for the duration of the holiday was expertly planned and our lead crew were fantastic. Tyson, Matas and Grace really made the holiday for us, always giving the information we needed but also letting us get on with enjoying ourselves. They provided a perfect level of support.
This was one of the best vacations we've ever had. The highlights were numerous. First, our crew was perfect. A personal thanks to Hectic, Danny, and Louise, who were caring, personal, and totally involved with every aspect of our cruise. Safety was number one, and we were in good hands. Our daily briefings were thorough, so we knew exactly what to expect concerning weather, highlights along the way, and other important tidbits of info. The guests were the best we’ve encountered on any trip we’ve taken. We’re Americans, they were Brits, and we couldn’t have had a better time. We’re not group people, but they were so much fun we spent every moment ashore with them. The boat was perfect for us, clean, well equipped. The weather was perfect, could have been a little more wind, but that’s the chance you take on this type of trip. Several of the guests had done this cruise many times before, and by the time we were finished we understood why. We will return!
Archie was outstanding, as a 71 year old non sailor he gave me all the help I needed to enjoy sailing and socialising!!!! We can't thank him enough, Netty was brilliant, as was Ralph, thank you all. Sailing holidays should be very proud of such a crew.
Absolutely brilliant time. Boat was great, lead crew were fantastic, weather was kind. Had some awesome sailing. This was out 7th flotilla. 8 and 9 are already booked for 2016. Sailing Holidays are the best holiday company. From the office staff to the holiday crews, everyone has been amazing. Thank you. Roll on 2016 :-)
Great lead crew on Kefalos, Roman, Jonno and Becky could not do enough for us, they were all very professional and had a great sense of humor. This made the holiday so much more enjoyable, knowing you were in safe hands, well done Guys!! We will certainly come with Sailing Holidays again.
Elpida Elpida this is Vanessa Vanessa! Thank you Bryn, Patch and Megan for a fantastic holiday from start to finish, it couldn't have been better and that's down to all your hard work!
Wishing you all the best love Vicky Jon Emmie and Harry, over and out!
Sailing Holidays you are the best can't wait to see you in 2016 with a reunion planned with friends we met in 2011.... My husband and his friends will be seeing you this Sept on a lads break!
Another tough day on the water...
Jo & Paul.
Enjoying dinner...
Thanks for a fab fortnight crew Vassia.We all enjoyed it. X
Hi Sailing Holidays - just a quickie to say what a terrific holiday we had again this year. I’m still swaying but I’m sure it’ll wear off soon. And the post holiday blues beckon with vengeance. Sadly, the Baggage Reclaim area at Gatwick became a place of mass mourning on Sunday. One of the teenage girls started to cry...then another...then they were all at it – even the boys! It ended in one huge communal group hug between the lot of them, as they clung to each other, sobbing, inconsolable, and desperate not to let go...
...I wish and should have taken a picture of it. And it struck me that these are the sights that you guys – and the lead crews – don’t really ever get to see or appreciate. To us parents, we’ve just been on an (exceptionally good) ‘fun family flotilla’. Two weeks of something out of the ordinary and a holiday that can’t be topped. But we’re realistic about what Monday brings. Can’t avoid it so just get on with it. To you guys, we’re just another two week flotilla. Here today, gone tomorrow. Nice to have but there’s lots of us.
But to the kids, your holidays offer life changing experiences. It’s not about the sea or the sun or the sailing. It’s about the freedom and the social side of the trip. They learn new skills – mostly how to engage with and talk to like-minded kids of their own age who start off as strangers and end up lifetime friends. They see young people, not much older than themselves, doing ostensibly fun jobs as hosties and skippers – role models and examples of different ways of earning a living other than their dentist/accountant/doctor dads. (I gather three of the girls from our flotilla want to be hosties as soon as they leave school.)
And yet your website and brochure never really convey just how good your holidays are for this awkward group of teenagers who start off self conscious and shy but end up collectively throwing themselves half naked off rocks and boats. You really should make more of it. Daisy, my 14 year old daughter, is already flicking through your brochure choosing our holiday for next year! All the best
Whole Ionian, Beneteau 361
"What a wonderful, unforgettable experience"
"I cannot describe what a wonderful holiday we had as a family! Our son took to the sailing with ease, with the two young girls assisting with the ropes. The three crew members went out of their way to make it a memorable holiday for us! Each, in their own way! Many thanks and we will be back!"
Whole Ionian, Beneteau 361
"We had a great time sailing, are missing the sea and have already booked for next spring!"
Whole Ionian, Beneteau 323
"We had a wonderful time which we really will never forget. We are now struggling to get back to reality and envy everyone who is booked with you for the remainder of this year. Thank you for making our holiday as special as it was."
Whole Ionian, Beneteau 323
"Thank you for a fabulous service and a great holiday, the team from start to finish were exceptional, never in my 35 years of life experience as an adult have I had this level of service...
...The guys Marnin, Nicole & Billy on Delphi gave us a time to remember always and if you could pass this message on to whom it may concern that you are an exceptional company giving true personal service in a time of dying standards"
Whole Ionian, Jaguar 27
